Sources said that one militant was killed and five were injured in the attack. A civilian was killed when a mortar shell reportedly fired from a FC camp in Kabal hit his shop at Koza Bandae.

Fazlullah’s spokesman, Maulana Sirajuddin, said that three Taliban had suffered minor injuries.

Militants say they will not surrender or end their movement without achieving their objectives.

“We will lay down arms when the government enforces Sharia in Swat; otherwise we’re ready to die,” Maulana Mohammad Alam, the commander of the militants in Khwazakhela, said.

On October 24, the NWFP government had dispatched hundreds of paramilitary forces and police to establish the state’s writ in parts of the Swat valley under control of Fazlullah.

Officials believe that Fazlullah, who has set up his own government and courts, has some 4, 000 armed supporters in Swat, the Dawn reported.

At present, six of the eight sub-districts of Swat are under the control of militants. Educational institutions in the area are closed and law-enforcement personnel have abandoned government installations. (ANI)